Chapter 14: Extension into Loas and Cambodia Flashcards
What military offensive did Nixon instigate in Cambodia?
March 1969. Operation Menu was a bombing offensive designed to target those parts of Cambodia regarded as safe by the North Vietnamese Army and the Vietcong.
What were Nixon’s aims of extending the War into Cambodia, March 1969?
It would sever supply lines based on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, pressurise North Vietnam into agreeing to an acceptable peace settlement for SV, and compensate for planned Vietnamisation programme so retain confidence and commitment of South Vietnam.
What happened in Cambodia March 1970?
Cambodia’s head of state, Prince overthrown by the pro-US General Lon Nol. NV then increased its presence in Cambodia by backing the anti-Nol communist movement, the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot.
What did Nixon fear would happen in Cambodia?
Feared the possibility of a communist regime being established in Cambodia as the Khmer Rouge, and its NV and Vietcong allies pushed toward the capital Phnom Penh March 1970.
Why did Nixon not want communist control of Cambodia?
Thought it would undermine Nixon’s Vietnamisation strategy as US forces would be needed to counter any pro-North Vietnamese assault on SV from Cambodia.
What did Nixon do in Cambodia in response to North Vietnam backing the Khmer Rouge (Communist movement in Cambodia led by Pol Pot)?
SV forces, with US support carried out cross-border raids into Cambodia. April 1970, US committed 20,000 ground troops to Cambodia, and this support was negated by an announcement by Nixon later that month that 150,000 US troops would be withdrawn from SV within one year.
Who were the Khmer Rouge?
Communist party in Cambodia, led by Pol Pot. Random execution of so-called subversive elements and enforced self sufficiency were the basis of its policies. Educated and professional classes almost wiped out. Ruling party 1975-79.
What were the pros of extending the War into Cambodia?
Any possibility of major NV offensive in the South was undermined due to losses faced by NV in Cambodia.
What happened to the Vietcong as a result of extending the War into Cambodia?
Their ability to operate in Cambodia was poor, as large areas of jungle were destroyed, Large amounts of Vietcong supplies and equipment captured/destroyed.
What were the negatives of extending the War into Cambodia?
No strategic gains for US from incursion into Cambodia. NV moved further into Cambodia, strengthened support for Khmer Rouge to overthrow Lon Nol in a time where US were trying to withdraw its forces and pressure NV into a diplomatic solution. Opposition to War at home increased, May 1970 student protests.
What happened in June 1970?
The US voted to remove the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and so the president’s unfettered control of conduct of War in Vietnam.
Why did Nixon want to extend the War into Loas?
Disabling the Ho Chi Minh trail on its route through Loas could stall the logistical support that the North Vietnamese were so dependent upon.
What had happened that limited US support in Loas?
Congress had banned US ground troops from entering either Loas or Cambodia after the ‘incursion’ so the assault would be carried out by SV forces with air support.
What was Operation Lan Son 719?
February 1971. Plan to support an ARVN invasion of Loas with US air support, aim was to disrupt NV supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh trail in Loas. Prevent an invasion of SV as US troop numbers continued to fall. Inadequate force of 30,000 ARVN troops attacked.
What was the result of the invasion of Loas February 1971?
ARVN was forced to withdraw due to superior NV force. Highlighted weakness of ARVN; leaders more concerned with pleasing President Nguyen Van Thieu than winning battles, scheme proved that the ARVN could only have a chance of matching NV with US air support. Spurred North to offensive rather than defensive. And Nixon’s Vietnamisation Strategy was increasingly failing to move the US towards peace with honour.
